SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE

Transcription

1 UNITED NATIONS Distr. GENERAL 1 March 2006 Original: ENGLISH SUBSIDIARY BODY FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE Report of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on its twenty-third session, held at Montreal from 28 November to 6 December 2005 CONTENTS Paragraphs Page I. OPENING OF THE SESSION (Agenda item 1) II. ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS (Agenda item 2) A. Adoption of the agenda B. Organization of the work of the session C. Election of officers other than the Chair D. Election of replacement officers III. IV. SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF IMPACTS OF, AND VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION TO, CLIMATE CHANGE (Agenda item 3) SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF MITIGATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE (Agenda item 4) GE

2 Page 2 Paragraphs Page V. METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES UNDER THE CONVENTION (Agenda item 5) A. Harvested wood products B. Common reporting format for land use, land-use change and forestry C. Emissions from fuel used for international aviation and maritime transport VI. METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES UNDER THE KYOTO PROTOCOL (Agenda item 6) A. Criteria for cases of failure to submit information relating to estimates of greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks from activities under Article 3, paragraphs 3 and 4, of the Kyoto Protocol B. Implications of the implementation of project activities under the clean development mechanism, referred to in decision 12/CP.10, for the achievement of objectives of other environmental conventions and protocols VII. VIII. REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION LOG UNDER THE KYOTO PROTOCOL (Agenda item 7) DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGIES (Agenda item 8) A. Matters relating to the implementation of the framework for meaningful and effective actions to enhance the implementation of Article 4, paragraph 5, of the Convention B. Work programme of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer for IX. RESEARCH AND SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION (Agenda item 9) X. COOPERATION WITH RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (Agenda item 10) A. Agenda item held in abeyance B. Cooperation with other conventions, scientific organizations and United Nations bodies

3 Page 3 Paragraphs Page XI. OTHER MATTERS (Agenda item 11) A. Progress reports B. Issues relating to the implementation of Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Kyoto Protocol C. Other matters referred by the Conference of the Parties D. Other matters referred by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol E. Any other matters XII. REPORT ON THE SESSION (Agenda item 12) XIII. CLOSURE OF THE SESSION Annexes I. Draft indicative list of activities for the programme of work of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change II. Members of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer for III. Documents before the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice at its twenty-third session

4 Page 4 I. Opening of the session (Agenda item 1) 1. The twenty-third session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) was held at Montreal, Canada, from 28 November to 6 December The Chair of the SBSTA, Mr. Abdullatif S. Benrageb (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya), opened the session and welcomed all Parties and observers. He welcomed Mr. Amjad Abdulla (Maldives) as Vice-Chair of the SBSTA. II. Organizational matters (Agenda item 2) A. Adoption of the agenda (Agenda item 2 (a)) 3. At its 1 st, 2 nd and 4 th meetings, on 28 November, 29 November and 6 December, respectively, the SBSTA considered a note by the Executive Secretary containing the provisional agenda and annotations (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/5). Statements were made by representatives of six Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), one on behalf of the European Community and its member States, 1 and one on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. 4. At its 1 st meeting the SBSTA decided to adopt the agenda as contained in the above document with two items held in abeyance: item 10 (Special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on carbon dioxide capture and storage) and item 11 (a) (International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States). At its 2 nd meeting the SBSTA decided not to include item 10 of the provisional agenda on the agenda of the session. 2 At the 4 th meeting the Chair informed Parties that there was no consensus to include item 11 (a) of the provisional agenda on the agenda of the meeting. On a proposal by the Chair, the SBSTA decided to include this issue on the provisional agenda of its twenty-fourth session. 5. At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA adopted the agenda as amended: 1. Opening of the session 2. Organizational matters: (a) (b) (c) (d) Adoption of the agenda Organization of the work of the session Election of officers other than the Chair Election of replacement officers 3. Scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change 1 This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 2 Matters relating to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage were considered by the SBSTA under its agenda item 10 (b) (Cooperation with other conventions, scientific organizations and United Nations bodies).

5 Page 5 4. Scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of mitigation of climate change 5. Methodological issues under the Convention: (a) (b) (c) Harvested wood products Common reporting format for land use, land-use change and forestry Emissions from fuel used for international aviation and maritime transport 6. Methodological issues under the Kyoto Protocol: (a) (b) Criteria for cases of failure to submit information relating to estimates of greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks from activities under Article 3, paragraphs 3 and 4, of the Kyoto Protocol Implications of the implementation of project activities under the clean development mechanism, referred to in decision 12/CP.10, for the achievement of objectives of other environmental conventions and protocols 7. Report of the administrator of the international transaction log under the Kyoto Protocol 8. Development and transfer of technologies: (a) Matters relating to the implementation of the framework for meaningful and effective actions to enhance the implementation of Article 4, paragraph 5, of the Convention (b) Work programme of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer for Research and systematic observation 10. Cooperation with relevant international organizations: (a) (b) Agenda item held in abeyance Cooperation with other conventions, scientific organizations and United Nations bodies 11. Other matters: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Progress reports Issues relating to the implementation of Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Kyoto Protocol Other matters referred by the Conference of the Parties Other matters referred by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol Any other matters 12. Report on the session

6 Page 6 B. Organization of the work of the session (Agenda item 2 (b)) 6. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1 st meeting, on 28 November, at which the Chair proposed the programme of work. The SBSTA agreed to proceed on the basis of the Chair s proposal. The secretariat informed the SBSTA of the status of documentation. C. Election of officers other than the Chair (Agenda item 2 (c)) 7. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1 st and 4 th meetings, on 28 November and 6 December, respectively. At the 1 st meeting, the Chair recalled rule 27 of the draft rules of procedure being applied, whereby the SBSTA is expected to elect its Vice-Chair and Rapporteur. Such an election was last held at the twenty-first session. The Chair informed the SBSTA that consultations on nominations were being undertaken and that he would keep delegates informed of progress made. In the conduct of these consultations Parties were invited to recall decision 36/CP.7 and to give active consideration to the nomination of women for elective posts in the SBSTA. 8. At the 4 th meeting, the Chair informed the SBSTA that an agreement had been reached among the regional groups, and announced the nominees. The SBSTA re-elected Mr. Amjad Abdulla (Maldives) as Vice-Chair and elected Mr. Jawed Ali Khan (Pakistan) as Rapporteur. The Chair informed the meeting that the Vice-Chair would serve for a second and final term of one year, and the Rapporteur would serve for an initial term of one year that may be renewed for another year. The Chair noted that they would serve for the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth sessions, and until their successors were elected. He thanked the current SBSTA Bureau for its work. D. Election of replacement officers (Agenda item 2 (d)) 9. The elected Vice-Chair and Rapporteur represent Parties to both the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. Therefore no elections of replacement officers for these posts were necessary. 10. At the first meeting, the Chair reminded Parties that he represented a country not a Party to the Kyoto Protocol, and hence, in accordance with Article 13, paragraph 3, and Article 15, paragraph 3, of the Kyoto Protocol, he needed to be replaced in his function as SBSTA Chair at the twenty-third session during discussion of agenda items pertaining to the Kyoto Protocol. The African Group would be expected to nominate a replacement. He also informed Parties that the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP), at its first session, had decided to invite the Vice-Chair to chair the SBSTA during the discussion of Kyoto Protocol items on the SBSTA agenda, until the African Group came forward with a replacement or, if the African Group agreed, to continue this arrangement until the election of the full Bureau of the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP). The Vice-Chair chaired the SBSTA during discussions of Kyoto Protocol items at the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th meetings. III. Scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change (Agenda item 3) 1. Proceedings 11. The SBSTA considered this item at its 1 st and 5 th meetings, on 28 November and 6 December, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of 24 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of

7 Page 7 the Group of 77 and China, one on behalf of the European Community and its member States, 3 and one on behalf of AOSIS. 12. At its 1 st meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this item in a contact group co-chaired by Ms. Helen Plume (New Zealand) and Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh (Trinidad and Tobago). At the 5 th meeting, Mr. Kumarsingh reported on the contact group s consultations. 13. At its 5 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 4 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 14. The SBSTA welcomed the exchange of views among Parties during the informal workshop to facilitate the development of the five-year programme of work on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change held in Bonn, Germany, from 17 to 19 October The SBSTA expressed its appreciation to the Government of Canada for its financial support for the workshop. 16. The SBSTA decided to recommend a draft decision on the SBSTA programme of work on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.30/Add.1) for consideration by the COP at its eleventh session The SBSTA considered a draft indicative list of activities for the programme of work (annex I 6 ), and agreed to further consider and elaborate this list at its twenty-fourth session (May 2006), taking into account the summary of the workshop 7 referred to in paragraph As a first step in implementing the programme of work, the SBSTA requested the secretariat to compile and make available to the SBSTA at its twenty-fourth session an initial list of organizations and institutions active in areas relevant to the programme of work. It invited Parties and relevant organizations to provide the secretariat with information as an input for compiling this list by 13 February The SBSTA requested the secretariat to organize, under the guidance of the Chair of the SBSTA, subject to the availability of resources, an informal meeting of representatives from Parties before its twenty-fourth session in order to further elaborate the list referred to in paragraph 17. The SBSTA agreed to consider the outcome of this meeting at its twenty-fourth session, with a view to identifying the activities starting as of This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 4 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.30 as amended. 5 For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/CP/2005/4/Add.1, decision 2/CP On a request by the President at the 8 th meeting of the COP, on 9 December, the secretariat made this annex consistent with the five-year programme of work of the SBSTA on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change contained in decision 2/CP.11, annex (see FCCC/CP/2005/4/Add.1). 7 Working paper No. 2 (2005), available on the UNFCCC web site at: < edit.pdf>.

8 Page 8 IV. Scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of mitigation of climate change (Agenda item 4) 1. Proceedings 20. The SBSTA considered this item at its 1 st and 5 th meetings, on 28 November and 6 December, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of nine Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and one on behalf of the European Community and its member States At its 1 st meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this item in a contact group co-chaired by Mr. Kok Seng Yap (Malaysia) and Mr. Toshiyuki Sakamoto (Japan). At the 5 th meeting, Mr. Yap reported on the contact group s consultations. 22. At its 5 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 9 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 23. The SBSTA took note of the submissions from Parties, contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.12 and Add.1 2, and the summary report of topics covered in the workshops, contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/INF.5, as well as the chairs summaries of the workshops The SBSTA recalled decision 10/CP.9, which requested the SBSTA to initiate work on the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of mitigation and to focus on exchanging information and sharing experiences and views among Parties on practical opportunities and solutions to facilitate the implementation of the Convention, and to report on this work to the COP at its eleventh session. 25. The SBSTA noted that it had had a useful and productive exchange of experiences and views during the three in-session workshops on mitigation at its twentieth, twenty-first and twenty-second sessions. 26. The SBSTA agreed to continue its work on the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of mitigation, and to focus on exchanging information and sharing experiences and views among Parties on practical opportunities and solutions to facilitate the implementation of the Convention as mandated by decision 10/CP.9. The SBSTA requested the secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, to organize workshops at each of its next four sessions, on the following themes: (a) Agriculture, forestry and rural development (in-session, SBSTA 24 (May 2006)) (b) Urban planning and development, including transportation (in-session, SBSTA 25 (November 2006)) (c) (d) Energy efficiency, including industry, and residential and commercial end-use (pre-session, SBSTA 26 (May 2007)) Power generation, including clean fossil fuels and renewable energy (pre-session, SBSTA 26) 8 This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 9 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L These summaries were presented orally at the nineteenth, twentieth, twenty-first and twenty-second sessions of the SBSTA.

9 Page 9 (e) Non-CO 2 emissions, including methane recovery and utilization (in-session, SBSTA 27 (December 2007)). 27. Each workshop should address the following aspects, taking into account ongoing work under the agenda item on development and transfer of technologies, including the work of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT): (a) (b) (c) (d) Currently available and emerging technologies, including small-scale mitigation technologies, and associated emission reduction potential; opportunities and best practices to overcome barriers to, and factors that promote, innovation, deployment, transfer and diffusion of these technologies, including through innovative financing International cooperative efforts to promote technology innovation, deployment, transfer and diffusion, and opportunities to enhance such cooperation Socio-economic aspects of mitigation, such as costs and benefits, co-benefits, spillover effects and win win practices that contribute to sustainable development Cross-cutting aspects and methods and tools for assessing mitigation opportunities. 28. The SBSTA invited Parties that wish to make a presentation on any of the topics listed above to indicate their interest to the secretariat three months before the relevant workshop. The SBSTA requested the secretariat to make arrangements for presentations. 29. The SBSTA invited Parties to submit to the secretariat, before its twenty-seventh session, views on issues that were discussed at the workshops. 30. The SBSTA agreed to take stock of its work under this agenda item at its twenty-seventh session, and to report to the COP at its thirteenth session (December 2007). V. Methodological issues under the Convention (Agenda item 5) A. Harvested wood products (Agenda item 5 (a)) 1. Proceedings 31. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1 st and 4 th meetings, on 28 November and 6 December, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of four Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States At its 1 st meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item in informal consultations convened by the Chair with the assistance of Mr. Nagmeldin Goutbi Elhassan (Sudan) and Mr. Peter Brisbane (Australia). At the 4 th meeting, Mr. Elhassan reported on these consultations. 33. At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 12 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 34. The SBSTA took note of the information contained in documents FCCC/SBSTA/2005/INF.7 and FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.9 and Add This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 12 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.16.

10 Page The SBSTA noted with appreciation the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on progress made with respect to the development of methods to estimate and report on harvested wood products in the context of the preparation of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. 36. The SBSTA decided to continue the consideration of this item at its twenty-fourth (May 2006) and twenty-fifth (November 2006) sessions. B. Common reporting format for land use, land-use change and forestry (Agenda item 5 (b)) 1. Proceedings 37. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1 st and 4 th meetings, on 28 November and 6 December, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of two Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States At its 1 st meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item in a contact group co-chaired by Mr. Audun Rosland (Norway) and Mr. Newton Paciornik (Brazil). At the 4 th meeting, Mr. Rosland reported on the contact group s consultations. 39. At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 14 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 40. The SBSTA considered the views from Parties on the tables of the common reporting format for land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) in accordance with decision 13/CP.9, and on experience with their use (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.7 and Add.1) and the synthesis of these views (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/7). 41. The SBSTA agreed to recommend a draft decision on this matter (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.19/Add.1) for adoption by the COP at its eleventh session The SBSTA agreed to consider, at its twenty-fourth session (May 2006), concurrent with its consideration of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, how emissions and removals, currently covered in the LULUCF and Agriculture sectors, will be presented in the national totals; inventory issues associated with biomass burning and natural disturbances as they relate to reporting under the Convention; and the implications on reporting of the conversion to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of methane, carbon monoxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds emitted in association with carbon stock changes. 43. The SBSTA requested the secretariat, in communicating estimates of Parties total national emissions and removals, to state clearly that presentations of national totals without emissions and removals from the LULUCF sector exclude emissions and removals associated with carbon stock changes and other emission sources covered in the LULUCF sector. 13 This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania. 14 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/CP/2005/4/Add.2, decision 14/CP.11.

11 Page 11 C. Emissions from fuel used for international aviation and maritime transport (Agenda item 5 (c)) 1. Proceedings 44. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 1 st meeting, on 28 November, and its 4 th and 5 th meetings, on 6 December. Statements were made by representatives of 24 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States At its 1 st meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item in informal consultations convened by the Chair with the assistance of Mr. José Romero (Switzerland). At the 4 th and 5 th meetings, Mr. Romero reported on these consultations. 46. At its 5 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 17 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 47. The SBSTA did not complete its consideration of issues under this agenda sub-item. It agreed to continue its consideration of these issues at its twenty-fourth session (May 2006). VI. Methodological issues under the Kyoto Protocol (Agenda item 6) A. Criteria for cases of failure to submit information relating to estimates of greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks from activities under Article 3, paragraphs 3 and 4, of the Kyoto Protocol (Agenda item 6 (a)) 1. Proceedings 48. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 2 nd and 4 th meetings, on 29 November and 6 December, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of four Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States At its 2 nd meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item in a contact group co-chaired by Mr. Audun Rosland (Norway) and Mr. Newton Paciornik (Brazil). At the 4 th meeting, Mr. Paciornik reported on the contact group s consultations. 50. At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 19 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 51. The SBSTA considered proposals for criteria for cases of failure to submit information relating to estimates of greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removals by sinks from activities under Article 3, paragraphs 3 and 4, of the Kyoto Protocol contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.13 and Add This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 17 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 19 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.18.

12 Page The SBSTA agreed to recommend a draft decision on this matter (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.18/Add.1) for adoption by the COP/MOP at its first session. 20 B. Implications of the implementation of project activities under the clean development mechanism, referred to in decision 12/CP.10, for the achievement of objectives of other environmental conventions and protocols (Agenda item 6 (b)) 1. Proceedings 53. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 2 nd and 4 th meetings, on 29 November and 6 December, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of five Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States, 21 and one on behalf of a group of Central American countries. 54. At its 2 nd meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item in a contact group chaired by Mr. Georg Børsting (Norway). At the 4 th meeting, Mr. Børsting reported on the contact group s consultations. 55. At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 22 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 56. The SBSTA took note of the submissions from Parties contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.10 and of an information paper prepared by the secretariat on options relating to implications of the establishment of new hydrochlorofluorocarbon-22 (HCFC-22) facilities seeking to obtain certified emission reductions (CERs) for the destruction of hydrofluorocarbon-23 (HFC-23) (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/INF.8), based on submissions by Parties and input by the Executive Board of the clean development mechanism. 57. The SBSTA decided to recommend a draft decision on implications of the establishment of new HCFC-22 facilities seeking to obtain CERs for the destruction of HFC-23 (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.27/Add.1) for adoption by the COP/MOP at its first session. 23 VII. Report of the administrator of the international transaction log under the Kyoto Protocol (Agenda item 7) 1. Proceedings 58. The SBSTA considered this item at its 2 nd and 4 th meetings, on 29 November and 6 December, respectively. A statement was made by a representative of one Party speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States At its 2 nd meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this item in a contact group chaired by Mr. Murray Ward (New Zealand). At the 4 th meeting, Mr. Ward reported on the contact group s consultations. 20 For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/KP/CMP/2005/6/Add.3, decision 18/CMP This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 22 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/KP/CMP/2005/6/Add.1, decision 8/CMP This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia.

13 Page At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 25 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 61. The SBSTA took note of the annual report of the administrator of the international transaction log (ITL) for 2005 (FCCC/KP/CMP/2005/5) and welcomed the progress reported on the development of the ITL. 62. The SBSTA agreed to recommend a draft decision on guidance relating to registry systems under Article 7, paragraph 4, of the Kyoto Protocol (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.20/Add.1) for adoption by the COP/MOP at its first session. 26 VIII. Development and transfer of technologies (Agenda item 8) A. Matters relating to the implementation of the framework for meaningful and effective actions to enhance the implementation of Article 4, paragraph 5, of the Convention (Agenda item 8 (a)) 1. Proceedings 63. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 3 rd and 4 th meetings, on 29 November and 6 December, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of two Parties. 64. At its 3 rd meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item in a contact group co-chaired by Mr. Holger Liptow (Germany) and Mr. Carlos Fuller (Belize). At the 4 th meeting, Mr. Fuller reported on the contact group s consultations. 65. At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 27 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 66. The SBSTA welcomed the report prepared by the secretariat on the outcomes of the seminar on the development and transfer of technologies for adaptation to climate change, held from 14 to 16 June 2005 in Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/8). It expressed its appreciation for the support provided by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in hosting this seminar. 67. The SBSTA acknowledged that the seminar provided a useful forum for broadening understanding on: concepts, needs for, and identification and evaluation of, technologies for adaptation; sharing lessons learned; and identifying promising areas of future work. It also acknowledged that, of the lessons learned, the importance of endogenous knowledge was particularly relevant. 68. The SBSTA took note of the initial report by the secretariat on the pilot project on networking between the UNFCCC technology information clearing house (TT:CLEAR) and national and regional technology information centres (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/INF.9). It also acknowledged the useful contribution this activity could make towards enhancing networking among technology information centres and to enabling Parties to gain access to relevant technology information, and encouraged broader participation through seeking more partners from developed and developing countries and international organizations. 25 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/KP/CMP/2005/6/Add.2, decision 12/CMP Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.24.

14 Page The SBSTA noted the oral report by the secretariat on the outcomes of the workshop on innovative options for financing the results of technology needs assessments held on 20 and 21 October 2005 in Bonn, Germany. It welcomed the active engagement of the private sector in this workshop and looked forward to the full report of this workshop, and the technical paper on innovative options for financing the development and transfer of technologies, being prepared by the secretariat for consideration by the SBSTA at its twenty-fourth session (May 2006). 70. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the assistance provided by the Governments of Canada, Norway and the United States of America, the European Community, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as well as the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) and the private sector, for conducting the activities mentioned in paragraphs 66 to 69 above. 71. The SBSTA looked forward to the technical paper, being prepared by the secretariat in consultation with the EGTT, entitled Application of environmentally sound technologies for adaptation to climate change, based on the outcomes of the above-mentioned seminar in Trinidad and Tobago, for consideration at SBSTA 24 with a view to deciding on the preparation of a compendium/guide on technologies for adaptation to promote further dissemination of information on these technologies. 72. The SBSTA acknowledged that a number of activities and initiatives relating to technology were under way in other forums and that Parties should be cognizant of areas of mutual interest. 73. The SBSTA requested the secretariat, subject to the availability of resources, to enhance outreach efforts to promote the understanding of Parties in the application and use of the networking activities referred to in paragraph 68 above. 74. The SBSTA invited Parties in a position to do so to provide support to the secretariat for conducting the activities mentioned in paragraph 73 above. 75. The SBSTA recommended a draft decision on this subject (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.24/Add.1) for adoption by the COP at its eleventh session. 28 B. Work programme of the Expert Group on Technology Transfer for 2006 (Agenda item 8 (b)) 1. Proceedings 76. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 3 rd and 4 th meetings, on 29 November and 6 December, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of 10 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and one on behalf of the European Community and its member States At its 3 rd meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this sub-item in a contact group co-chaired by Mr. Holger Liptow (Germany) and Mr. Carlos Fuller (Belize). At the 4 th meeting, Mr. Fuller reported on the contact group s consultations. 78. At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 30 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 28 For the text as adopted, see document FCCC/CP/2005/4/Add.1, decision 6/CP This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 30 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.23.

15 Page The SBSTA welcomed the report of the EGTT for 2005 (FCCC/SBSTA/2005/INF.10) and endorsed the proposed work programme of the EGTT for 2006 as contained in the annex to that document. It expressed its appreciation to Mr. Kishan Kumarsingh (Trinidad and Tobago), the Chair of the EGTT, and Mr. Bernard Mazijn (Belgium), the Vice-Chair, for their valuable contributions in leading the EGTT to successfully implement its work programme for The SBSTA also welcomed the election of Mr. Bernard Mazijn (Belgium) as Chair and Mr. Chow Kok Kee (Malaysia) as Vice-Chair of the EGTT for 2006 and the experts nominated by Parties to serve on the EGTT for 2006 (see annex II). 81. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the assistance provided by the Governments of Canada, Norway and the United States of America, the European Community, UNDP and UNEP, as well as the CTI and the private sector, for the successful implementation of the EGTT work programme for It encouraged Parties, relevant international organizations and the private sector to support the EGTT in implementing its work programme for The SBSTA requested the secretariat, resources permitting, to organize a special working session of the EGTT in early 2006 to enable the group to further elaborate its recommendations for enhancing the implementation of the framework for meaningful and effective actions to enhance the implementation of Article 4, paragraph 5, of the Convention, for consideration by the SBSTA at its twenty-fourth session (May 2006). 83. The SBSTA further requested the EGTT to organize, with the assistance of the secretariat, a side event (as indicated in the EGTT work programme for 2006) on issues surrounding the transfer of publicly owned technologies and those in the public domain, including the role of governments in facilitating, to the extent practicable, the access to and transfer of such technologies to developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition. It also requested the EGTT to consider appropriate next steps on this matter, taking into consideration the discussion at the side event, and to report to the SBSTA for its consideration at its twenty-fifth session (November 2006). IX. Research and systematic observation (Agenda item 9) 1. Proceedings 84. The SBSTA considered this item at its 2 nd and 4 th meetings, on 29 November and 6 December, respectively. Statements were made by representatives of nine Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States At its 2 nd meeting, the SBSTA agreed to consider this item in a contact group co-chaired by Mr. Stefan Rösner (Germany) and Mr. Philip Gwage (Uganda). At the 4 th meeting, Mr. Rösner reported on the contact group s consultations. 86. At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 32 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 87. The SBSTA took note of the submissions from Parties on the report on progress made towards implementing the initial ocean climate observing system, and on the final report on the analysis of data exchange issues in global atmospheric and hydrological networks, contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.15 and Add This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 32 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.17.

16 Page The SBSTA welcomed with appreciation the report from the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) secretariat on progress with the Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (hereinafter referred to as the GCOS implementation plan) contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.14; the report from the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) on preparing a coordinated response from space agencies involved in global observations to the needs expressed in the GCOS implementation plan, contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.17/Rev.1; and a progress report on developing a framework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate, prepared by the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) secretariat and contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC The SBSTA noted that there is now an excellent foundation upon which to improve the global observing systems for climate. It urged Parties to further implement the GCOS implementation plan, including the capacity-building elements. 90. The SBSTA urged those Parties that have not already done so to designate GCOS national coordinators and GCOS national focal points. 91. The SBSTA welcomed the information in document FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.14, that almost all of the international agencies identified in the GCOS implementation plan have formally or informally acknowledged their roles in the GCOS implementation plan and are actively engaged in developing and/or refining their specific work plans. This commitment to action represents a substantial degree of international consensus and support for the GCOS implementation plan. 92. The SBSTA welcomed and accepted the offer from the CEOS, on behalf of the Parties supporting space agencies involved in global observations, to provide a detailed report on a coordinated response to the needs expressed in the GCOS implementation plan at SBSTA 25 (November 2006). 93. The SBSTA welcomed the efforts by the GTOS secretariat to develop a framework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate and encouraged the GTOS to continue its work. It also called on the GTOS secretariat to assess the status of the development of standards for each of the essential climate variables in the terrestrial domain. The SBSTA invited the GTOS secretariat to report on its progress by SBSTA 26 (May 2007). 94. The SBSTA requested the GCOS secretariat to provide a comprehensive report at its thirtieth session (June 2009) on progress with the GCOS implementation plan, in addition to the regular reporting requested by the COP in decision 5/CP The SBSTA noted that the report referred to in paragraph 94 would be heavily dependent upon obtaining timely information on national implementation activities. Therefore, the SBSTA invited Parties to submit to the secretariat, by 15 September 2008, additional information on their national activities with respect to implementing the plan. 96. The SBSTA welcomed the ongoing efforts of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and invited the GCOS and the GEO to continue to coordinate closely on the implementation of the GCOS implementation plan and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) 10-year implementation plan. The SBSTA encouraged Parties included in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Parties) to facilitate the participation of developing country Parties in implementation activities wherever possible.

17 Page The SBSTA agreed to revise the UNFCCC reporting guidelines on global climate change observing systems 33 in order to reflect priorities of the GCOS implementation plan and incorporate the reporting on essential climate variables. Parties also noted the need to revise the more comprehensive supplementary reporting format. 34 The SBSTA agreed to consider this issue at its twenty-fifth session. It invited the GCOS secretariat to submit to the SBSTA, by September 2006, a proposal on ways and means to address these needs. 98. The SBSTA noted the importance of the oceanic observations in contributing to meeting the needs of the Convention. The SBSTA requested Parties in a position to do so to address the need for continued, sustained and enhanced support for the implementation of the global ocean observing system for climate. It noted in particular the need for sustained support to operationalize the system and need for the collection and archiving of marine data and metadata. 99. The SBSTA reiterated that data exchange is fundamental to the needs of the Convention. It noted with concern that many of the problems of data exchange, as referred to in the final report on the analysis of data exchange issues in global atmospheric and hydrological networks, 35 still remain. The SBSTA urged Parties to implement the possible remedy options identified in that report The SBSTA urged Parties and invited relevant intergovernmental organizations and international bodies, such as the World Meteorological Organization and the International Council for Science, to provide active support to international data centres in their efforts to obtain permission from countries for the release of the data and the rescue of historical climate records The SBSTA noted that the regional workshop programme will be completed in early It invited the GCOS secretariat, in cooperation with the Regional Workshop Advisory Committee, to report on the results of the programme at its twenty-fifth session The SBSTA reiterated the need to strengthen capacities in the field of climate observations, data analysis and data management. The SBSTA also reiterated the importance of, and continued need for, capacity-building, including through the GEO, the GCOS cooperation mechanism, and regional activities, to enable developing countries to apply climate observations, inter alia, for impact assessment and preparation for adaptation. X. Cooperation with relevant international organizations (Agenda item 10) A. Agenda item held in abeyance (Agenda item 10 (a) held in abeyance) B. Cooperation with other conventions, scientific organizations and United Nations bodies (Agenda item 10 (b)) 1. Proceedings 103. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 2 nd and 3 rd meetings, on 29 November, and at its 4 th meeting, on 6 December. Statements were made by representatives of 10 Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States, 36 one on behalf of AOSIS and one on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. Statements were also made by representatives of the secretariat of 33 FCCC/CP/1999/7, chapter III. 34 FCCC/SBSTA/2000/14, paragraph 59. The supplementary reporting format can be found at < 35 Available as document GCOS-96 (WMO/TD No.1255) at < 36 This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia.

18 Page 18 the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971; hereinafter referred to as the Ramsar Convention), the IPCC, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) At its 2 nd meeting, the SBSTA requested the Chair, with the assistance of the secretariat, to draft conclusions on this sub-item. At its 3 rd meeting the SBSTA agreed to consider matters relating to the IPCC Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (hereinafter referred to as the IPCC special report) in a contact group co-chaired by Mr. William Agyemang-Bonsu (Ghana) and Mr. Thomas Verheye (European Community). At the 4 th meeting, Mr. Verheye reported on the contact group s consultations At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 37 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions 106. The SBSTA took note of the oral report by the secretariat on the outcome of the consideration by the Joint Liaison Group (JLG) of the paper on options for enhanced cooperation among the three Rio Conventions contained in document FCCC/SBSTA/2004/INF.19. It recalled that, in line with its conclusions at its twenty-first session, Parties are invited to submit to the secretariat, by 13 February 2006, their views on the options paper and on its consideration by the JLG, and requested the secretariat to compile those views into a miscellaneous document for consideration by the SBSTA at its twenty-fourth session (May 2006). The SBSTA also noted an oral report provided by the representative of the secretariat of the Ramsar Convention The SBSTA noted with appreciation the oral report by the representative of the IPCC on the development of its Fourth Assessment Report, on the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, and on other reports and activities. It also noted statements made on behalf of FAO, UNFF and the secretariat of UNISDR on their activities relevant to the UNFCCC The SBSTA welcomed the IPCC special report and expressed its gratitude to the IPCC for preparing the report The SBSTA noted that the IPCC special report provides a comprehensive assessment of the scientific, technical, environmental, economic and social aspects of capture and storage of carbon dioxide The SBSTA acknowledged that carbon dioxide capture and storage is an option, in the portfolio of mitigation options, for stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, noting that complete carbon dioxide capture and storage systems are in various stages of development ranging from research and development to the mature market stage. It encouraged Parties, the private sector and other potential developers to support the acceleration of research, development, deployment and diffusion of carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies The SBSTA recognized the importance of disseminating the results of the special report in the context of ongoing work, including on scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of mitigation, development of technologies, and education, training and public awareness The SBSTA requested the secretariat, subject to availability of resources, to organize, under the guidance of the Chair of the SBSTA, an in-session workshop on carbon dioxide capture and storage at the twenty-fourth session of the SBSTA. The objective of the workshop would be to increase understanding of carbon dioxide capture and storage through an overview of the IPCC special report and 37 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.26.

19 Page 19 through experiences and lessons learned. It would cover relevant provisions of the forthcoming 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, demonstration and pilot projects and capacity-building for the development and use of this technology. The workshop would draw on the views of Parties and the relevant expertise of Parties, intergovernmental organizations and other organizations. The SBSTA requested its Chair to prepare a report of the above-mentioned workshop for consideration by the SBSTA at its twenty-fifth session (November 2006) and requested that this report and workshop presentations be posted on the UNFCCC web site as soon as possible after the workshop The SBSTA took note of the oral report by the secretariat on the thematic cluster of energy for sustainable development, climate change, air pollution/atmosphere and industrial development planned for consideration at the fourteenth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 14). The SBSTA requested the secretariat to report on the outcome of CSD 14 on these issues to the SBSTA at its twenty-fourth session. XI. Other matters (Agenda item 11) A. Progress reports (Agenda item 11 (a)) 1. Proceedings 114. The SBSTA considered this sub-item at its 3 rd and 4 th meetings, on 29 November and 6 December, respectively. It had before it documents FCCC/SBSTA/2005/6 and Corr. 1 2, FCCC/SBSTA/2005/9, FCCC/SBSTA/2005/INF.6, FCCC/SBSTA/2005/MISC.8. Statements were made by representatives of two Parties, including one speaking on behalf of the European Community and its member States. 38 The secretariat provided the following progress reports: (a) (b) (c) (d) Report on the workshop on national systems for the preparation of greenhouse gas inventories under Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Kyoto Protocol Annual report on the technical review of greenhouse gas inventories from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention Report on the round-table discussion on experiences of Parties included in Annex I to the Convention in implementing policies and measures Scientific and methodological aspects of the proposal by Brazil At its 3 rd meeting, the SBSTA requested the Chair, with the assistance of the secretariat, to draft conclusions on this sub-item At its 4 th meeting, the SBSTA considered and adopted conclusions 39 proposed by the Chair. 2. Conclusions Report on the round-table discussion on experiences of Parties included in Annex I to the Convention in implementing policies and measures 117. The SBSTA noted with appreciation the organization by the secretariat of the round-table discussion on experiences of Annex I Parties in implementing policies and measures, held on 24 May 38 This statement was made in association with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. 39 Adopted as FCCC/SBSTA/2005/L.25.